Bihar CM asks Centre to prosecute anti-social elements

Published: Monday, October 13, 2008, 16:07 [IST]

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New Delhi, Oct 13 (UNI) Expressing concern over the growing intolerance among many sections of the people, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said that in case of communal outburst and violence, the government must come down heavily on the erring people without fear or bias and prosecute them vigorously in the courts of law.

Participating in the 14th National Integration Council (NIC) Meet here, Mr Kumar criticised the delay in holding the Meet, which is being held after a gap of over three years and said it indicated the seriousness with which the subject of communalism is being approached leaves much to be desired.

He said that enhanced risk perception, emerging from a perceived deterioration on internal security and growing divides in the society deters investment decisions, much less converting them into gainful projects.

''Prompt action to curb violence, immediate apprehension of anti-social and criminal elements, quick investigations and vigorous prosecution, leading to conviction, are the only sure solution towards protecting for the future as well as healing the wounds and psyche of the victims,'' he added.

The Chief Minister said his government has a policy of zero tolerance against communal violence and there has been ''no communal or caste violence'' during his rule. He has also reopened many cases of the Bhagalpur communal riots of 1989-90 and reinvestigated them and subsequently many offenders were chargesheeted, the Chief Minister claimed, adding, special courts are trying these cases and convictions have started and even property of those who lost after the riot is being returned.

He said that the state government decided to fence all the 8,000 graveyards of the state at a cost of Rs 450 crore, as they generally become the cause of dispute.